There is a nickel-titanium alloy known as 55-Nitinol that is nothing short of amazing. It is one of a family of so-called “memory metals.” After heating the metal at a high temperature, it can be fashioned into a certain shape, even a very complex shape. When allowed to cool, the 55-Nitinol will “remember” that shape even when crushed beyond recognition. Once heated again, it returns to the shape it “remembers.” Under extreme heat 55-Nitinol can be shaped into a geometric shape, the number “8,” the letter “w,” or even into a Crucifix. Once cooled, that shape is “fixed in its memory.” You can crush that Crucifix to powder. But heat the metal again and it will return to being a Crucifix.
People are like 55-Nitinol. At times we feel that we have been hurt so badly that we will never be the same again. We are so traumatized, violated, and crushed beyond recognition that we convince ourselves our world has no tomorrow. But God has made us more resilient than we realize. Though broken beyond human repair, as we draw near to the flame of his love God will heal us. He will restore us to our original self – but with a glorious difference. After God heals and restores us, we will be stronger and better than before. We will be enriched with wisdom and grace through the brokenness and the restoration process, so that we are then shaped into an instrument of God’s peace and healing to others.
After God heals and restores us, we will be stronger and better than before.
Paul the apostle had this in mind when he wrote these words in the Bible: “What a wonderful God we have – he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
PRAYER:
Dear Father in heaven, in my times of brokenness and pain, please heal me and give me hope for tomorrow. Re-fashion me into a stronger person than I was before and into an instrument of your peace and healing. Amen.
